Haarlem Day Trip from Amsterdam: A Calmer City Escape, Haarlem, Netherlands
I live on the west side of Amsterdam. It鈥檚 a beautiful city, and I love it鈥� but I don鈥檛 always want to be in it. The center can feel intense. Crowds, bikes, noise, trams, more bikes - sometimes it鈥檚 just a bit much.
On those days, I head somewhere quieter. Usually Zaandam or Haarlem. Both are close, easy to reach, and offer something that鈥檚 getting harder to find in the city: space to breathe.
This post is about Haarlem - and why I often suggest it to friends who are visiting Amsterdam. Not because it鈥檚 a replacement, but because it鈥檚 the perfect complement. A slow, charming side trip where things feel a little more local and a little more comfort.
Here鈥檚 something I love about Haarlem: The green little doorways. Because many homes don鈥檛 have gardens, residents remove a couple of sidewalk tiles in front of their houses and plant tiny gardens right in the street. Lavender, tomatoes, roses, even apple trees.
Fun fact: Haarlem has been encouraging residents to plant geveltuintjes (facade gardens) for years. Some streets now have official signs asking people to 鈥渁dopt a tile鈥� - turning one square of sidewalk into green space. It鈥檚 a small act, but together they add up to entire streets that feel softer and more alive. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
On those days, I head somewhere quieter. Usually Zaandam or Haarlem. Both are close, easy to reach, and offer something that鈥檚 getting harder to find in the city: space to breathe.
This post is about Haarlem - and why I often suggest it to friends who are visiting Amsterdam. Not because it鈥檚 a replacement, but because it鈥檚 the perfect complement. A slow, charming side trip where things feel a little more local and a little more comfort.
Here鈥檚 something I love about Haarlem: The green little doorways. Because many homes don鈥檛 have gardens, residents remove a couple of sidewalk tiles in front of their houses and plant tiny gardens right in the street. Lavender, tomatoes, roses, even apple trees.
Fun fact: Haarlem has been encouraging residents to plant geveltuintjes (facade gardens) for years. Some streets now have official signs asking people to 鈥渁dopt a tile鈥� - turning one square of sidewalk into green space. It鈥檚 a small act, but together they add up to entire streets that feel softer and more alive. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: Haarlem Day Trip from Amsterdam: A Calmer City Escape
Guide Location: Netherlands » Haarlem
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Kitty Van Der Kroon
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Netherlands » Haarlem
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Kitty Van Der Kroon
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Spaarne
- Gierstraat
- Kleine Houtstraat
- Koningstraat
- Teylers Museum
- Frans Hals
- Grote Markt
- Molen de Adriaan
- 碍飞别别办肠补蹿茅
- Dutch Barrel Organ Museum
- Museum van de Geest
- Boekhandel De Vries
- Jopenkerk
- In Den Swarten Hondt
- Locael Centraal
- Boutiquehotel STAATS
- Hotel ML
- Brasss Hotel Suites
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